The Nats try to get out of their rut this afternoon against the Orioles.

Jim Riggleman, like most managers, lives by the adage that "momentum is only as good as your next day's starting pitcher." He said it yesterday afternoon, only to watch as Scott Olsen (ailing from a tight left shoulder) struggled and was pulled after three innings, setting the tone for last night's 5-3 loss to the Orioles.

Thus, the Nationals enter today's rare 4:05 p.m. start (due to the fact Fox is televising Yankees-Mets in primetime) under .500, having lost seven of their last eight. Clearly, their momentum is careening downhill at this moment.

But all that can change if Craig Stammen takes the mound today and gives the Nats a quality start. After a nice, three-week stretch in which he allowed three earned runs or less in four straight starts, Stammen has regressed some his last two times out (though he's still only allowed four runs each of those two starts).

Riggs at it again….do what little he can to get his Vets into games under the pretense of resting Ian D. He is the teams second best player. Play him and end the bromance with Guz….his range is pathetic…last night he let a very playable ball roll through the right side and did not even keep it in the infield to save a run. Guz at second base if you have to Riggs but SS….never again in my view.

The Nationals are near the top/bottom (most) in errors again this year. While the fielding has improved immensely over the beginning of last year, the team does have challenges defensively. Its easier to overlook because the young talent of Desmond and Bernadina, the professionalism of Dunn, Kennedy, and Rodriguez, and the spectacular playmaking ability of the entire outfield pluz Zimmerman. But, a lot of the errors are mental: not looking the ball into the glove, making a throw when there is no chance of a play, not rushing a play. When your offense is also not working you have to make compromises and play the better hitters but long term they need complete players who are fundamentally sound. Could be some of the same players they have now, but this is the majors not double A. These players need to focus. BTW, Dunn is playing pretty well defensively around the bag but if has to keep coming off the bag and up the line to catch Zimmerman and Desmond throws he's going to end up breaking a wrist when he collides with a runner.

Man people like to beat dead horses around here. Morgan is in a slump, but you don't get out of a slump by sitting on the bench. Would you rather see Willie Harris out there again?And there is no point to even try to reason with JayB, just a waste of time.

Morgan is in a mental slum….his decision on the bases and in CF are the problem here…if he was just in a hitting slum I would agree he needs to play his way out. The biggest harm he is doing to the team is his bad baseball decisions….he can not even hit a cut off man or not get double off first on a soft liner….That is cause to sit him for a week until he gets his mind straight again.

I think even the Carpenter and Dibble haters among us would have to admit that their favorite days of the baseball season (aside from Opening Day) are the first days back after a weekend of MASN's combined broadcast booth abomination.

JB,There is no place on this site for your behavior.There are plenty of sites on this world wide web featuring bad behavior. Take it there if that is the kind of person you are, but straigten up on here.

Take Nyjer out now. You have to be kidding me. This guy is a joke. A complete joke. Every time it is hit to him. First of all, he should have caught it. Second, he misses it and turns a double into a 4 bagger.How much of this do we have to endure?

Nice as the single was, it was clear that Morgan's still angry, and that's going to lead to more errors. Keeping my fingers crossed, but this looks like a big mistake on Rig's part. I'll be very interested in his post-game comments on this.

Here's a puzzle – in case it becomes necessary – who is on the farm that can serve as a backup catcher? Jamie Burke appears to be listed as on the 7-day DL, but doesn't appear to have seen any playing time.

Where is CWJ who was the Nyjer supporter with some Anon. This has been over a week of horrible play. Nicest guy in an interview. As soon as the camera is off, he becomes MAJOR LEAGUE A-HOLE.When is Riggles and Rizzo gonna FLUSH the TPlush toilet?

Well, either Riggleman pulls him right then, or he doesn't and deals with it privately. It doesn't matter what he says, I suppose–Pudge is out and the bench is already short in a close game, whatever. It's his prerogative, but man … I've seen Ponce de Leon 48+ players sat down for that.

I know JayB, just givin ya a little good-natured ribbing. Desmond started 9 games in a row at short prior to today, so I'm ok with Guzzy playing once in awhile – especially if it means Kennedy is in the lineup at 2B. Adam is a true pro and deserves to play.

What Would Frank Have Done? 1. Pulled him off the field right then and there. Personally. By the ear.2. Left him in to finish the defensive half, and traded him during the bottom of the fourth.3. Waited til he got back in and cussed him out so bad his grandchildren would be born insecure.

Why pinch hit there for Walker? Bernadina was at 3rd with nobody out, even if Walker K's we have 2 more outs to get Roger in.The bench is already depleted… I dont understand the move. Someone give me some insight?

SEC3, agreed. No doubt. Riggleman will take care of Nyjer just won't do it in the dugout like he did with Sammy Sosa in 1997.Another note, Nyjer will rename himself with a new nickname. I am thinking NO BRAIN-ER or Tony FLUSH (already suggested). What do you all think?Look how Adam Jones backed up Markakis on that missed catch?Nice hit Bernadina!!!!!!!!!!

@ Les1. Tyler Walker sucks. We still have Clip, Slaten, Burnett and possibly Bautista available in the pen. And we still have Morse and Willie to pinch hit.2. We've been terrible lately with RISP. No way you can sacrifice an out there, especially when you're down.

Hows about getting Bernadina to drag a bunt???? At least try for a base hit as he is a good drag bunter.Mike Morse showing why he is with the club. A good PH.Figures, FLUSH hit into a DP. Go figure. When you got a rain cloud over your head. Sheesh.

Mark, they did show Morgan tossing his helmet. Speaking of which, thanks for the detail about the new Rawlings helmet Norris was wearing.And now Zimm is wandering around like he's playing in some other game. Did somebody spike the Gatorade??

"…cussed him out so bad, his grandchildren would be born insecure…". I love that ditty(and that's exactly what Frank really would have done). I'm gonna use it in my future recriminations (if it isn't copyrighted!!!!).It's time to add to the after game clubhouse awards. How about the Tony Flush goat-of-the game award—a golden toilet plunger–to be carried on the bus back to the hotel!

Anon 7:19, with Guzman on 2nd and Zimm on 1st, Willingham hit a sinking liner into the R-C gap. Guzman went halfway to third and waited, but Zimm (with the play in front of him) just about ran right up Guzzie's back, near short.

About that time, Jones make a nice running catch on the ball, and Guzman was frantically waving Zimm back, but the ball was on its way in. It's a good thing the throw back to first wasn't muffed, though, because Zimm was barely jogging back to the bag.